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Friday, 30 October 2015

Do you love mince pies? I do, so was immediately attracted to this new title.

‘I wish I could live your life. I’d happily swap lives with you.’

’Tis the season to be jolly but for Calvin and Judy the usual festive bickering has already begun! Judy’s convinced that her husband has it easy – no glittery wrapping paper, no playground gossip and absolutely no Christmas baking.

Calvin wishes he could trade in his obnoxious boss and dull nine-to-five job to spend more time kicking back with his kids – how hard can Judy’s life really be?

But after a magical mince pie mix-up, one thing’s for certain – by Christmas Day, life for Judy and Calvin will never be the same again. Perhaps the grass isn’t always greener after all…

A hilarious, feel-good festive read, perfect to curl up with this Christmas. Fans of Carole Matthews, Jane Costello and Mandy Baggot will love this story!

My Thoughts:

Be careful what you wish for this Christmas; Another bake off inspired title but with a subtle difference. Judy wife to Calvin and mother to their two children loves to bake, not that she has much time to enjoy it.

Don't judge someone before you've walked a mile in their shoes.

This story is a nice twist on an old favourite. Both Calvin and Judy are tired and both convinced that the other is getting an easy ride in comparison and make a wish.

"I wish I could live your life. I’d happily swap lives with you."

Whilst their initial reactions are understandably stereotyped the book quickly gets into it's own. This book is very amusing, the characters well developed and easy to relate to. I really like the Christmas angle which sets it apart. Scrooge too was a nice touch tying in well with the Christmas theme.

I really enjoyed the character development as each made mistakes but utilised their own personal strengths in their new role and learned to appreciate their spouse. Yes it was cliche and sometimes very predictable but there were some nice surprises too and I really enjoyed it.

Grab a couple of mince pies and a mulled wine and get into the Christmas spirit. Curl up with "The Mince Pie Mic-Up" this Christmas.

Recommended.

(A big thank you to Carina and NetGalley for providing a pre-release digital copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Wednesday, 28 October 2015

Following a (totally justified) ugly, public brawl with her love-rat boyfriend, soap star and paparazzi darling Amy Lavender's TV career is over.

Her agent assures her that winning a glitzy dancing TV competition will put Amy back on top. But Amy has two left feet, and her hot dance partner Patrick seems to think that she's behaving like a superficial spoiled brat (also totally justified).

At rock bottom, Amy is now living in a rented room when she encounters her upstairs neighbour, an elegant older lady with a mysterious, tragic air who knows more than a thing or two about the foxtrot.

But it'll take more than a couple of dance lessons to get Amy back on the leaderboard and ready to cha cha cha her way to glitterball glory!

Carina.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely love this book. Set in London against a Strictly backdrop it is as gorgeous as a perfectly performed American Smooth. This book literally has it all. What started out as a quick peek lasted a lot longer because I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down. This is a book about living life to the full, following your dreams and being true to yourself whilst empathising with others.

Just like Amy there is far more to this book than glitter and sparkle. Another story runs throughout the book; Cora's story. Cora now in her nineties lost the man she loved at the end of war. It is the combination of both of these stories set against the Strictly glitter and glamour which gives it depth and makes this book so magical.

On the outside Amy seems to have it all. A buffed boyfriend, celebrating lifestyle and a good part in a soap. Amy has always loved acting but as she finds herself drawn more and more into the celebrity lifestyle she loses contact with her dream of being a serious actress. I really liked Amy she was so easy to emphasise with. Amy has two left feet but when she loses both her boyfriend and her job she accepts a place on Strictly. With no job and nowhere to live she acquires a low rent apartment agreeing to keep an eye on the old lady upstairs. Amy is walking disaster but there is more to Amy than meets the eye. Partnered with the equally buffed Patrick a love triangle of sorts emerges.

This is my first Kerry Bennet but it is so well written with a great plot, easy dialogue and well developed characters that I will be looking for more by this author.

'You messed it up a bit at the beginning,' he said.'But you got it back and you delivered.Amy Lavender, I smell something very sweet with you.'

There aren't enough stars for this fun, deeper than expected witty and relaxing read.
Highly recommended.

(A digital review copy gratefully received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

What others are saying:

Fiona via GoodReads - "This was a really enjoyable, funny read. It features a show based on Strictly Come Dancing which is currently on TV, making it extremely relevant."

Ann via GoodReads - "I liked the way Cora's story was interspersed with Amy.'s and a tear in my eye on more than one occasion! As for the winner of the dance show - you'll have to be patient and read the book!"

Monday, 19 October 2015

Kay Smith is on tour October 19-26 with her novel Lotus, visit CLP Blog Tours for details of all the tour stops.Shellyback books is delighted to be kicking off the tour by hosting the first stop.

Saying ‘I do’ is easy. Deciding who to spend forever with can be a little complicated.

Newlywed Lotus Price has everything that she should have ever wanted: a great husband and a dream job as an executive of Chicago’s most prominent philanthropic foundation. Her pre-planned future seemed to be gift-wrapped in a perfect bow, until the day she discovers she is pregnant and runs into her first love. Despite his offer to be friends, Lotus tries to keep the past where it belongs. As the pregnancy begins to interrupt the dream that Lotus envisioned for her marriage, she is forced to rethink everything she thought she knew, including the single day that led her to her husband and away from the man she saw herself spending forever with.

Ultimately, the one question which will remain is who will be willing to give up what they have in order to get what they have always desired? In the end, the scars that each of them thought were long buried will resurface to reveal the single event that changed each of their lives forever.

My Thoughts:

This debut novel is powerful and thought provoking. It is about choice, the ability to forgive and ultimately what is most important in love and life. For its size this is quiet a substantial book, at a 180 pages it isn't a long book but is packed with quality content and story. I found this title very hard to put down and read it in a single sitting.

Lotus pregnant with her first child, married to her best friend finds herself in a love triangle when an old flame the man she can't forget re-enters her life in a chance encounter. Lotus needs to ask herself why she can't let go of someone who hurt her, and why she is willing to lose a person who has proven he loves her.

The character development in this book is extremely good. At first when we are introduced to Lotus, her husband and former lover the temptation is to take each at face value. As the book progresses we learn more about each character, their motivation and insecurities. It is this character development which makes the book so interesting and thought provoking.

My first impression of Lotus and her husband were not good, but gradually i warmed to both. Lotus cried tears at her wedding for another man with whom she was obviously still in love. Her husband came over as more interested in his career than his wife and child. In contrast i found it easy to empathise with her former lover who is now a doctor and despite his failings came over as sympathetic and far less selfish and self-centred.

Gradually we learn about the past and how much the death of her sister impacted her life, how grief colours our vision and effects our choices.

I got more than I bargained for when I opened this book. Amazon lists this book under romance but make no mistake this isn't your typical romance or women's fiction title. The ending really surprised me. It's potential for discussion makes this is an ideal choice for a book club read, the questions in the back of the book providing a good starting point for discussion. As the story drew to a close I personally was left with the following questions to ponder.

Is it true that

love is about giving up many things to be with the person you love?

the past doesn't matter because the only thing which matters is today?

Should Lotus sacrifice what she knows she needs for what she thinks she wants?

Highly recommended.

What others are saying:

IndieReader - “The revelations tied to Lotus’ fate are done slowly and masterfully and the fullest portrait of the situation is only illuminated in the final pages….A portrait of a woman at a crossroads, LOTUS is an unflinching look at marriage, secrets, and loss.”

Jersey Girl Book Reviews - "riveting and realistic portrayal of the complications of life and love... hard to put down... mixture of drama, emotion, and humour ... will simply leave you wanting more.

This side of Paradise books - "I couldn’t put this book down... Every woman imagines what could have been but not many get a second chance to find out…"

Polished and Bubbly - "This is one of those stories that just makes sense ... the writing is so flawless, it seems seamless. Lotus is ... so well developed ... She's one of those characters you feel a connection with."

Kay W. Smith is a writer and blogger living in Chicago, Illinois with her husband and two sons.

She worked in public policy for several years before pursuing her passion to write full-time.
In addition to writing she also teaches a quarterly seminar focused on the fundamentals of successful blogging and provides guidance on how to effectively write on socially-sensitive and controversial topics.

She is a graduate of Spelman College and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.

Josephine "Joey" Lockhart escapes her past, herself and her home town of Pearl, Ohio to Florida after high school. Years later, she meets a man that refuses to let her hide behind her camera lens and encourages her out of her shell. Will he be the one to push her to feel for the first time?

Excerpt Hope:

Deep in thought, he hadn’t noticed Joey inching her way toward the garage until it was too late. She stood in front of him holding the hose nozzle like she was about to shoot a pistol, with a shit-eating grin.
“Don’t you fucking dare.” His helmet muffled his warning, but the cocked eyebrow indicated she’d heard him just fine.
“Or what?”
He flipped off his helmet and tossed it away from the ATV so the inevitable water fight didn’t ruin it. He turned off the four-wheeler and stashed the key in his pocket. “Do you really want to find out?”
“Maybe I do,” she sassed him, and he chuckled. He liked this playful, ballsy side of her. He’d had a glimpse of it a few times over the months, but she always tried to keep it in check. Today—however, she was balls to the wall.
“Then go for it. I dare you. I triple dog fucking dare you.” He stood with a foot on each platform straddling the ATV with his hands resting on the handlebars. She pushed the trigger. Hot water pelted him in the chest as the hose cleared the water that had been sitting in the line all day. Two seconds later, cold water showered him, hitting him in the face, the chest, and she even had the audacity to aim for his groin.
Hurdling over the ATV, his feet splashed in the mud created by her water escapade. Screaming, she dropped the hose and ran through his back yard. He followed. She had some speed. He’d give her that. All the running she did at the beach paid off, but he was faster.
In ten strides, he wrapped an arm around her middle. Her legs dangled in the air as he swung her around and walked her back to the garage area.
“Stop, Talon! Stop!” She kicked and wriggled attempting to escape, but he tightened his hold.
“I warned you, didn’t I?” Still holding her with one arm, he bent and swiped the hose off the ground.
“Talon Manness! You wouldn’t,” she shrieked.
“You don’t know me too well then, Sweetness.” He held the nozzle as far as his arm could stretch so as not to hurt her from the force of the water. Squeezing the trigger, he sprayed her hair until not a single strand remained dry, and brown rivulets streaked her face and arms from the mud. Then, he targeted her tank top, before releasing his hold on her and aiming the nozzle at her lower body. She dashed in the direction of a tree, but wasn’t quick enough to avoid getting the back of her pants drenched.
“Truce,” she yelled from behind the tree. She peeked around. Her hair hung in matted clumps. Black smudged under her eyes from her mascara. He snickered, and sprayed in her direction again. Her head ducked behind.
“Come on out, Joey. This hose can stretch pretty far. I don’t want to come out and get you, but I will.”
“I’m already soaking wet.” Her voice sounded shrill.
“Then getting wetter should be no big deal.”
“I can’t get any wetter. It’s a waste of your time.” She peeked around the other side of the tree, and he blasted her again. “Arrggh!”

About Jessica Jayne:

Jessica is a born and raised small town Ohio girl, who moved to the Sunshine State after graduating from college. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in English because she could not imagine doing anything else but reading and writing.
In the journey of life, she obtained her law degree (and bar license) and also became a wife and a mother of three children. So, life is always an adventure.

After seven years in drug hell, detoxing Juliette "Juls" Carrington returns to her hometown Pearl to attend her grandmother's burial. Once more rejected by her family, she has a swim in a pond nearby when a mysterious camper, an ex-drunk, coaxes her to come to his hut in the woods. Together they must fight their inner demons for a chance to love...and live.

About Lea Brosen:

Lea Bronsen likes her reads fast, hot, and edgy, and strives to give her own stories the same intensity. After venturing into dirty inner-city crime drama with her debut novel Wild Hearted, she divides her writing time between psychological thriller, romantic suspense, and erotic contemporary romance.

FAITH – Cait Jarrod

Selena Bodine escaped into the United States Air Force to leave behind a painful past and the one man who she refused to let herself love. Years later, an urgent call from her father brings her back to Pearl, Ohio and face to face with the man she still loves. But will the secret that Cullen is investigating her threaten their second chance?

About Cait Jarrod:

From writing ‘every girl’s dream heroes’ to ‘strong, down-to-earth heroines,’ Cait Jarrod twists ‘cliff hanging plots’ and ‘clever, unpredictable sub-plots’. She loves diving into a good book as much as she loves writing one. Mother of three gorgeous daughters, she’s married to her best friend, hangs out with a great group of women—the WWC, and loves a good glass of wine.

PERSISTENCE – DC Stone

Laydi Michaels has been running away from her past and bad memories for years. Finding herself wasn’t an easy task, but she’s managed to finally get to a point to where she wants to be. Only to wake up married to her boss….who fired her the night before. Wrapped in a case that puts her life in danger, and dealing with a grave situation back home in Pearl, Laydi figures out she wasn’t close to finding herself, and now, she’s risked everything.

About DC Stone:

DC Stone has over sixteen years of investigative experience, including working as a criminal investigator in the United States military anda private investigator. Currently, she works as an internal affairs investigator by day and a romantic suspense author by night. She has herMaster’s degree in Criminal Justice and is dubbed, “The Investigative Whisper.” Commonly called upon to act as an expert witness, she also trains with local, state, and federal law enforcement officers. She provides numerous workshops that help authors gain insight into “digging” into a character’s mind to better understand motives, create suspense, and help maintain conflict.

When she isn’t trying to solve a new puzzle in the world of fraud, she is engulfed with coffee, her laptop, and all those crazy characters in her head. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Hudson Valley Romance Writers, RomVets, RWA Kiss of Death, and the Liberty State Fiction Writers. She served as the 2014 Vice President and Conference Chair for NJRW. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, or her at www.authordcstone.com.

Sunday, 11 October 2015

Having read and enjoyed several titles featuring runaway wives and mothers, I was immediately attracted to "The Runaway Bridesmaid" as a nice twist on a familiar theme only to my delight discover the great British Bake Off ripple effect.

What a girl wants…

Squeezing herself into a frothy, flouncy, bubble-gum pink dress, Rosie Hamilton thinks that being a bridesmaid for her spoilt little sister Freya can’t get any worse. But discovering her boyfriend in a cupboard with the bride, ten minutes before Freya is due to say ‘I do’, is the icing on the sequinned wedding cake – and Rosie’s cue to pack her bags.

Swapping her Louboutins for Wellingtons, Rosie throws her bridesmaid bouquet in the air and flies from bustling New York to sleepy Devon. Her late Aunt Bernice’s cosy countryside cottage is the only place that’s ever felt like home. Now, for the first time in her life, and with the help of her beloved Aunt’s diaries, Rosie must put herself first for a change – and decide what she really wants…

A delightful romance, perfect for fans of Sophie Hart and Lindsey Kelk!

My Thoughts:

Attracted by the title, I really enjoyed this book which was as amusing as its delightful cover. At first sight it appeared to be well written and pretty standard chic-lit but quickly transformed into a warm and witty story. Dating your boss is never a good idea especially if he is a cheating weasel. Rosie having taken on the mothering role to her younger sister when their mother died also needs to put herself first for a change and concentrate on her own happiness.

Despite having spent months organising the perfect wedding for her needy younger sister a series of unfortunate events cause her to flee the scene. Out of respect for her favourite and now dead aunt she makes the journey alone to visit her funeral and to go to the reading of the will. Despite some really delightful scenes including Rosie in her unsuitable frothy, flouncy, bubble-gum pink dress it was her arrival in the UK that was the turning point for me and where I really started to enjoy the story.

The character development was good. Rosie was easy to empathise with, got herself into amusing scrapes and very likeable once she started to drop the doormat act. The boys too were fun and full of surprises. Suddenly Rosie has not one but two very attractive eligible bachelors in her life. It was really amusing to see this city girl in the country. Her Aunt and others in the village gave the story body, and the scene with her scones was a hoot.

Rosie finds herself faced with some serious choices. Life in rural Devon is growing on her. The choice of wellies over stilettos is a hard one but "she realised her precious Louboutons would never have coped and the avoided damage sent shivers down her spine." With two new men in her life Rosie "learns that her decision to stay in Devon may have benefits after all". Charley contrasts sharply with the rich and successful Austin and she has to decide what is most important in life.

I really this enjoyed reading about Rosie's escape which made me smile. Being a debut novel I obviously haven't read any of her previous work, but this is an author who I will be looking out for in the future.

Recommended light reading.

(Digital ARC gratefully received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

What others are saying:

Portabellobookblog - "I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel: it was sweet and romantic ... Just the thing when you want a feel-good read to leave you with a smile on your face.

Splashesintobooks - "This is an outstandingly well written novel. I have to say how great it is to read such a superb story where the author is capable of portraying so much without once having to resort to having her heroine go bed hopping!

Wednesday, 7 October 2015

In the mood for a little light hearted whodunnit with a dusting of paranormal sugar.

In Salem, Massachusetts, there are secret everywhere--even in the furniture. . .

When Lee Barrett spots the same style oak bureau she once had as a child on the WICH-TV show, Shopping Salem, she rushes to the antiques shop and buys the piece. Just like the beloved bureau she lost in a fire, this one has secret compartments. It also comes with an intriguing history--it was purchased in an estate sale from a home where a famous local murder took place.

The day after the bureau is delivered, Lee returns to the antiques shop and finds the owner dead. The police suspect the shop owner's unscrupulous business partner, but Lee wonders if the murder is connected to her new furniture. At least part of the answer may be revealed through a mirror in the bureau, tarnished and blackened, allowing Lee to tap into her psychic visions. Using this bureau of investigation, Lee may be able to furnish her policeman beau with the evidence needed to catch the killer--before the next one to be shut up is her. . .

My Thoughts:

Cozy feel good mystery with a paranormal twist. The third in a series set in Salem, Massachusetts; This book stands up well on its own but is so good that you will want to read the whole series.

Lee Barrett who is furnishing her almost empty apartment is delighted when she finds a bureau which appears to be identical to one lost in a fire. The bureau holds secrets in more more ways than one and forms the pivot in the puzzle, to solve two murders. She is romantically involved with Pete, a local police detective. What Pete doesn't know is that Lee is a “scryer" and still coming to terms with her gift of visions which are messages from the dead and departed.

Lee works as a teacher at the drama college (Tabitha Trumball Academy Of The Arts) but volunteers for a job over the summer sourcing props for three student productions. With her limited budget and an old but trusty pick-up truck at her disposal this gives her plenty of opportunity to checkout secondhand shops and yard sales. Given her own preference for preloved over new she is easily able to combine her new job with the much needed task of furnishing her apartment.

This book was a delight to read packed full of interesting characters and situations. I really liked all the characters in this book who were all very easy to relate to. Being set in Salem I really enjoyed too reading about the surroundings and local history which tied in well with the storyline. O'Ryan the cat is absolutely delightful in his role of witches familiar and even seems to have powers of his own.

The story is a cozy mystery with a light dusting of paranormal to add extra interest making it a mystery first and a paranormal tale second with some romantic interest thrown in for good measure. I found the whodunnit a little predictable but the story was extremely well told with some really nice twists. Boyfriend Pete was more of a mystery than some of the other characters; I hope to get to know him better in the anticipated next instalment.

This is my first Carol L. Perry novel but I enjoyed it so much that I am planning on reading the previous two books in the series.

Recommended and a perfect Halloween read.

What others are saying:

Kirkus Reviews - "Perry’s fans, who are likely more invested in the sweet character interactions and long-term development than the intrusive question of whodunit, will find this perfectly relaxing and readable."

Lisa via GoodReads - "I was so intrigued by this storyline that I had to locate the first two in the series so I could catch up on Lee’s previous activities.

Karen via GoodReads - "The third book is wonderful! Lighter in feel then the first two but so much goes on! Loved it and think this is a fantastic series!

Saturday, 3 October 2015

Jewellery designer Skylar loves living in London, especially as the glittering Christmas lights sparkle all around. But when a surprise proposal goes wrong she finds herself fleeing home to remote Puffin Island. Of course, the last person she expected to see was TV historian Alec.

Burned by a terrible divorce, Alec is dazzled by Sky’s blonde beauty and so cynical that he assumes that’s a bad thing! Luckily she’s on the verge of getting engaged to someone else, so she won’t be a constant source of temptation on Puffin Island...but this Christmas, can Alec and Sky realise that they are what each other was looking for all along?

Fall in love with the all new Puffin Island series from Sarah Morgan, the bestselling author who brought you Sleigh Bells in the Snow:

My Thoughts:

Skylar dreams of spending Christmas with her friends on Puffin Island. The third in a series this is a cosy feel good read with lovable and well defined characters. This is a romance with the emphasis on being yourself and being accepted for who you are in a relationship.

I really enjoyed this book but almost tossed it in irritation aside whilst reading the first chapter which set the scene for the plot. Warm, talented and beautiful Skylar is in a relationship with selfish, manipulative Richard and making excuses for his behaviour. Despite her success as an artist she is a failure in the eyes of her family who don't respect her choices and want to see her married off. Alec does his best to keep Skylar (who reminds him of his ex-wife) at a distance but an accident pushes her into his arms.

This book was very amusing. The characters got themselves into some lovely entertaining scrapes and misunderstandings. The book was a bit mushy in places but had a good plot with well defined characters. I enjoyed the way the author use of strong contrasts. How she offset Alec against Richard, Skylar against Alec's ex-wife and Alec's family against Skylar's.

I liked Skylar. First appearances can be deceptive with her initially coming over as a bit foolish. We quickly learn that there is much more to Skylar than meets the eye. The same can be said for once bitten twice shy Alec whose character develops well as we get into the plot.

Friendship features heavily in this title and Puffin Island despite the cold in the winter comes across as somewhere I would love to live or visit. The story stands up well on its own, but in hindsight I wish I'd read the previous two titles first, having enjoyed this one so much.

Recommended and would make an ideal christmas read or stocking filler.

What others are saying:

Anne via GoodReads - "I've loved every book in the series but this one really is the icing on the cake. Skylar and Alex have sparred and shared a mutual dislike ... now we find out why. It has nothing to do with their shared history and everything to do with their individual pasts.

Alison via GoodReads - "Perfect ... It doesn't take long to lose yourself in the world of art, heroes, longing, family dynamics, enduring friendships, snow & sex .. don't forget the sex that plays an important part in the story!"

Kim via GoodReads - "I feel like I could walk around Puffin Island and wave to all the people I have grown to know!